Although the domain name of this website might suggest that this site is heavily biased against ETS (Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy) surgery, that is not true. ETS does seem to be a highly effective remedy for many people suffering from hyperhidrosis (persistent excessive sweating -- most commonly with regards to the palms, as the following picture shows: SWEATY HANDS PICTURE). However, there are nowadays so many safer alternative remedies to curing or ameliorating hyperhidrosis, that, in all likelihood, ETS is unnecessary for most patients (especially those who are persistent and willing to incessantly experiment with a combination of potential non-surgical cures). ETS causes side effects in 100 percent of patients, the extent of which range from relatively benign to life destructing. Some side effects only appear several years after the surgery. ETS should only be considered as a choice of treatment after the numerous other alternatives have been explored (and for that you can check out the discussion forums on this site). Unfortunately, most surgeons downplay the side effects of ETS due to the lucrative nature of this quickie half hour surgical procedure.
This guy's Spanish site has excellent pictures of various types of hyperhidrosis (HH) and facial bushing (FB). Within that site you can also find detailed pictures about the ETS and ETS nerve graft reversal surgeries.
This website's function is primarily to dissuade hyperhidrosis sufferers from undergoing ETS until the numerous other possible non-surgical alternative solutions are fully explored. This site attempts to provide a more accurate depiction of the viability of non-surgical treatments in comparison to the sketchy biased information found on most surgeons' websites that undermines this viability. ETS side effects are also disussed in more detail and with more accuracy on this site than you will see on pretty much all surgeons' websites.
Besides hyperhidrosis, ETS is often used to "cure" severe Facial Blushing, Social Phobia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Causalgia, Raynaud's Syndrome and a number of other such problems. Many surgeons have stopped offering ETS as a cure for most of these problems due to frequent ineffectiveness, symptom reoccurrences and unwanted side effects. Some choose to offer ETS for one of the above problems in rare instances where the problem is clearly destroying a person's quality of life. ALL ethical surgeons no longer offer ETS for the sole purpose of eliminating excessive armpit (axillary) sweating. It is normal to sweat in the armpits, while Botox seems to be highly effective at stopping armpit sweating for months at a stretch. Many creams and lotions are also very effective at stopping armpit sweating. Various types of sweat gland excision surgeries in the armpits are also reasonably effective and certainly less invasive than ETS. A few surgeons nowadays also recommend not getting ETS just to eliminate excessive facial sweating or facial blushing. Lumbar sympathectomy to stop feet sweating is also now becoming obsolete due to the nature of the beast.
Check out the pages on potential non-surgical cures for hyperhidrosis and short-term and long-term side effects from having ETS surgery before proceeding to the forums or booking the surgery. Most importantly, remember that the ganglions/nerves that are killed during ETS are underneath the chest near the ribs, and not inside your hands or feet or face as you would think. These ganglions are part of your sympathetic nervous system that affects numerous parts and mechanisms of your body -- ranging from your hypothalamus to heart rate.
Please note that a lot of the information on this website is based on my personal opinion. However, a number of surgeons have told me that the information on my website is quite accurate. I have tried to keep the infomation unbiased and scientifically accurate as best I can. Using the above contact methods, please let me know if there are any errors you find or any improvements you want to suggest in the content, layout and so forth.
This website was first published on the web in November 2005, but then redesigned with the addition of the forums and republished in January 2006.
It goes without saying that all content on this site is copyrighted material.
